Department for Transport

Cycleways: Finance

Lord Moynihan: To ask Her Majesty's Government which 10 local authorities have received the most money for the National Cycle Network; and how much has been spent by all local authorities over the last five years on improving this network

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: Over the last five years, the Government has awarded Sustrans £77 million in grant funding to improve the safety and accessibility of the National Cycle Network (NCN). As custodians of the Network, Sustrans works with local authorities and other partners such as the Canal and River Trust to identify priorities for investment in the NCN, and channels funding to partners to deliver these upgrades. The table below lists the 10 local authority areas which have received, or are forecast to receive, the greatest level of investment in NCN routes from the overall £77 million. Local Authority AreaTotal value of projects1Warwickshire County Council£5,676,163.002West Midlands Combined Authority£3,151,051.973South Yorkshire Combined Authority£2,677,552.004The West of England Combined Authority£2,215,047.826Buckinghamshire Council£2,084,000.007Durham County Council£2,000,181.508Staffordshire County Council,£1,677,215.949Derbyshire County Council£1,650,680.0010Dorset County Council£1,520,811.00Over and above the funding provided to Sustrans, the Government has also provided local authorities with significant amounts of capital funding to support active travel. It is for authorities to determine how best to use this in their areas, including whether or not to spend any of it to improve routes which include stretches of the NCN, and the Department does not therefore hold an aggregate figure for total spend on the NCN over this period.

Cycling: Children

Lord Moynihan: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many children have received cycling proficiency training through the Bikeability scheme since 2017.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: Between 2017/18 and 2020/21 a total of 1,376,657 Bikeability training places were delivered using DfT funding, in England outside London. Cycle training in London is a matter for the Mayor of London and the Department does not hold figures for the number of training places delivered there.Figures for 2021/22 will be published in Summer 2022 and will be available on the Bikeability website at https://www.bikeability.org.uk/about/funding-and-delivery.

Cycling: Urban Areas

Lord Moynihan: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they expect the Cycle City Ambition scheme to be completed.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The Cycle City Ambition Programme was completed in 2018.

East Midlands Trains: Franchises

Lord Bradshaw: To ask Her Majesty's Government why a franchise was let for the operation of East Midlands Trains in 2019 when insufficient rolling stock was available to meet the commitments of the franchise.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The East Midlands Railway (EMR) Franchise was let in May 2019 with suitable plans in place for trains to deliver the contracted service. Since then the pandemic and its impact has caused delays to the delivery of trains expected from other operators.

East Midlands Trains: Standards

Lord Bradshaw: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to require the restoration of the hourly train service between Nottingham and Lincoln.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: The weekday timetable currently provides an hourly direct service between Nottingham and Lincoln, with the exception of three gaps in each direction spread across the day. With EMR we will continue to monitor demand on this route and keep under review if further services can be operated.

East Midlands Trains: Standards

Lord Bradshaw: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the reasons for the low market share of railway journeys between Nottingham and Lincoln; and the role of the (1) emergency timetable, and (2) frequent cancellation of services, in this low market share.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: No assessment has been made of rail’s market share of journeys between Nottingham and Lincoln, although for rail demand itself, EMR will monitor usage of their services.

Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Natural Gas: Storage

Lord Birt: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Callanan on 31 March (HL7081),how many days’ supply of gas is available in contingency emergency reserves, based on average levels of consumption.

Lord Callanan: Great Britain does not have contingent emergency storage reserves. The UK has highly diverse sources of gas supply, made up of supplies from the UK Continental Shelf (UKCS), our long-term energy partner Norway, and international markets via LNG and interconnectors to the Continent. Though gas storage provides flexibility to balance demand and supply of gas, it is not intended as a source for gas supply.

Department of Health and Social Care

Preventive Medicine: Coronavirus

Lord Mendelsohn: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made, if any, of widening the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation’s remit to encompass the provision of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PREP) for the clinically extremely vulnerable to COVID-19.

Lord Kamall: The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation’s remit continues to focus on the prioritisation of cohorts eligible for vaccination. The Department’s Antivirals and Therapeutics Taskforce (ATTF) is scoping the potential for pre-exposure prophylaxis, with experts from the Prophylaxis Oversight Group, the UK Health Security Agency, and the multi-agency group RAPID C-19. This includes identification of the patient groups which could most benefit, potential deployment and administration processes and evaluation of potential pre-exposure prophylaxis products.The patient cohorts eligible for treatment with antivirals and monoclonal antibodies have been determined by an independent expert group commissioned by the Department and included in a clinical policy agreed by the United Kingdom Chief Medical Officers. This group will also consider the patient groups eligible for any potential pre-exposure prophylactic treatments. The ATTF will continue to engage with the JCVI to ensure that clinical policy is aligned.

Ministry of Justice

Parole System Root and Branch Review

Lord Garnier: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the proposals in the Root and Branch Review of the Parole System, published on 30 March, are compatible with (1) the requirements of the Human Rights Act 1998, and (2) the UK's obligations under the European Convention of Human Rights; whether they have produced an assessment of the compatibility of that reviewwith the provisions of the Human Rights Act 1998; and if so, what plans they have to publish a copy of that assessment.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook: The government considers that the proposals set out in the Root and Branch Review are compatible with the Human Rights Act and the UK’s obligations under the European Convention of Human Rights. The Government does not consider that it is required to produce an assessment of compatibility of its proposals in the review, as the Government's position is not to disclose the legal advice it receives. When the provisions of any Bill are brought forward to implement the proposals, the Government will comply with its obligations under section 19 of the Human Rights Act 1998.

Parole System Root and Branch Review

Lord Garnier: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they conducted (1) an equality impact assessment, and (2) a safety impact assessment, for the proposed measures contained in theRoot and Branch Review of the Parole System,published on 30 March.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook: The Government did not produce a formal Equalities Statement or an Impact Assessment prior to publishing the Root and Branch Review but a detailed assessment of the equalities and other potential impacts of the proposals will be carried out as we develop the legislation that will be needed to implement the measures. An Equalities Statement and a full Impact Assessment will be prepared for publication when the legislation is introduced. We consider that the proposed measures in the Root and Branch Review will not have significant equalities or safety impacts. The majority of prisoners going through the parole process will not be affected by the main proposals which are targeted at the top tier of the most serious cases. We consider those measures to be proportionate and justified by the need to enhance public protection when it comes to those who have committed the most serious offences and present the highest risk.

Parole System Root and Branch Review

Lord Garnier: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many prisoners submitted evidence to inform "Chapter Five - prisoners' experience of the parole system" in theirRoot and Branch Review of the Parole System, published on 30 March.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook: No individual prisoners submitted evidence to the Root and Branch Review of the Parole System. The Review was concerned with the operation of the parole system as a whole and sought evidence and views from representatives who have broad first-hand knowledge and expertise in prisoners’ experience of the parole process. This included HMPPS practitioners, prominent charities and legal representatives who work directly with prisoners going through the process. That evidence was used to identify the main issues for prisoners and how the system could be improved.

Parole

Lord Garnier: To ask Her Majesty's Government how membership of theParole Oversight Group will be determined; and what plans they have to publish papers and minutes of the group’s activities and decision making.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook: The Parole Oversight Group will bring together senior representatives of all parts of the parole system to ensure that it functions effectively and to identify any potential further improvements. Terms of Reference for the group, including how it will be constituted, will be drafted and agreed as part of wider plans to implement the findings of the Root and Branch Review. When doing so, we will consider the appropriateness of the Group’s activities and decision-making being made publicly available.

Prisoners

Lord Garnier: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many prisoners were refused (1) release, and (2) transfer to open conditions, due to being unable to complete programmes or other work identified by (a) Her Majesty's Prison and Probation Service, or (b) the Parole Board, as necessary to assess or reduce risk, in each of the past five years.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook: The independent Parole Board take a holistic approach when assessing a prisoner’s risk for the purposes of considering whether to direct the prisoner’s release or recommend the prisoner’s transfer to open conditions. Where a prisoner has not completed a programme or other work specified in their sentence plan by the time of their next parole review, that does not constitute an insurmountable barrier to release or progression.

Parole System Root and Branch Review

Lord Garnier: To ask Her Majesty's Government (1) what qualifications will be required, and (2) what the recruitment process will be, for independentpanel members sitting alongside the Secretary of State in “top tier” parole cases, following their proposal in the Root and Branch Review of the Parole System, published on 30 March.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook: The concept of top-tier parole cases being determined by independent panel members sitting alongside the Secretary of State is one of two options described in the Root and Branch Review for the future management of such cases. The alternative option is that following a Parole Board decision to release a top-tier case, the Secretary of State would have the power to review and refuse the decision on the basis that he does not agree with the Parole Board that the statutory release test is met – and that would be subject to an appeal to the Upper Tribunal. We are not yet in a position to announce which of the two options the government will seek to include in the legislation that will be required to implement the parole reforms proposed in the Review. Further detail on how the preferred option will operate will be developed ahead of the introduction of the legislation and announced in due course.

Parole System Root and Branch Review

Lord Garnier: To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the number of cases that will fall into the“top tier” of highest risk offenders in each year, following their proposal in the Root and Branch Review of the Parole System, published on 30 March.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook: Alongside the Root and Branch Review, the government published historic release data for the top-tier cohort of parole cases. This can be found in the accompanying attachment.The data shows the number of parole reviews completed for top-tier cases since 2016/17 broken down by offence type and how many of the completed reviews resulted in a release decision. This can be summarised as follows: Year2016/172017/182018/192019/202020/21Total completed reviews (top-tier cohort)2,0142,0431,8511,7771,975Release decisions (top tier cohort)640710606598699Total completed reviews (all cases)12,99812,08011,38213,20915,644 It is anticipated that release decisions in top-tier cases are the most likely cases to be caught by the new powers for ministerial oversight. The data illustrates that the new policies will apply to a small percentage of the Parole Board’s overall caseload.Parole_Board_release_data (docx, 61.1KB)

Open Prisons: Prisoner Escapes

Lord Garnier: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many absconds have taken place from open prisons by people who were eligible for parole at the time, in each of the past five years.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook: Absconds from prison have more than halved since 2010 and are extremely rare. All open prisons now have local Abscond Reduction Strategies in place to ensure that the risk of abscond is minimised and to share good practice around the Open Prison Estate. Open prisons hold only prisoners who have been formally assessed as being suitable to hold in conditions of lower security. Following a decision by the Deputy Prime Minister last year, when it comes to the Parole Board recommending that indeterminate sentence prisoners be transferred to open conditions, there will now be greater Ministerial scrutiny. Public protection is our top priority. When a prisoner absconds, the Police are immediately notified and are responsible for locating the offender. The majority of absconders are quickly recaptured and returned to custody. This table shows the number of absconds for prisoners who were eligible for parole at the time they absconded.Financial yearNumber of absconds2016-17402017-18342018-19432019-20322020-2132Data has been drawn from large-scale IT systems and as with all such systems, is subject to errors with data entry and processing.

Parole System Root and Branch Review

Lord Garnier: To ask Her Majesty's Government which (1) professions, and (2) professional backgrounds, they consider to qualify as "law enforcement", following theirproposal in the Root and Branch Review of the Parole System, published on 30 March.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook: The Root and Branch Review proposes to increase the number of Parole Board members who have experience in ‘law enforcement’, and mandate that members with this experience sit on panels who review offenders in the ‘top-tier’ of cases. The scope of what is meant by "law enforcement" will encompass those from a police background but is also likely to include those who have worked in other law enforcement agencies.

Parole System Root and Branch Review

Lord Garnier: To ask Her Majesty's Government what evidence they have used to conclude that there is increased public concern about the operation of the parole system in their Root and Branch Review of the Parole System, published on 30 March; and what wording they intend should replace the current release test, following their proposal in that review.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook: Public concern surrounding the operation of the Parole system has been evidenced by reactions to a number of decisions by the Parole Board in recent years – including the decision in 2021 to release Colin Pitchfork and his subsequent recall to prison shortly afterwards – and these decisions have damaged confidence in the Parole system. The government considers that, where very serious and high-risk offenders are being assessed for release, it is necessary to introduce further scrutiny and safeguards in the decision-making process to make sure that such prisoners are not released if they continue to present a threat to the public. With regard to the statutory release test, our intention is not to replace the current test, but instead to clarify what is meant by “necessary for the protection of the public”, with a greater emphasis on being satisfied that the public would not be put at risk. In addition, a list of criteria the Board is required to take into account will be included in the release test; that proposed list was set out in the Root and Branch Review. The Root and Branch Review is attached.Root_and_Branch_Review (pdf, 556.6KB)

Parole System Root and Branch Review

Lord Garnier: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will provide (1) the (a) identity, and (b) qualifications, of officials who will determinewhich parole cases the Secretary of State decides personally, and (2) the criteria they will use, following their proposal in the Root and Branch Review of the Parole System, published on 30 March.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook: The Root and Branch Review of the parole system announced that the government proposes to introduce an additional layer of Ministerial oversight, based on a precautionary approach to public protection, when the top-tier of parole eligible offenders are being considered for release. There are two circumstances where this Ministerial power to review cases could apply. First, where the Parole Board cannot confidently conclude that the release test has been met and decide to refer the case to the Secretary of State, all such cases will be referred to Ministers to review and make a decision about release. Secondly, where the Parole Board directs the release of a top-tier offender, there would be a power for Ministers to review the case and refuse release if they consider the release test had not been satisfied. In these circumstances, HMPPS officials with relevant knowledge and skills, will on behalf of the Secretary of State, examine each decision in scope of the power to assess whether the particular characteristics require the case to be referred to Ministers.

Parole System Root and Branch Review

Lord Garnier: To ask Her Majesty's Government on how many occasions hasa further serious offence been committed by a “top tier” offender, as described in their Root and Branch Review of the Parole System, published on 30 March, following a release decision in each of the past five years.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook: Table 1: Shows the number of ‘top tier’ offenders released by the Parole Board between 1 April 2015 and 31 March 2020 and supervised by probation providers in England and Wales, who were subsequently convicted of an SFO. Year of Release by the Parole Board Index Offence Group2015/162016/172017/182018/192019/20Total1. Murder2321082. Rape3123093. Terrorism0000004. Allowing or causing the death of a child000000Total5444017Table notes:1. These conviction figures are provisional and subject to change as outstanding cases are completed.2. Figures only include convictions for serious further offences that have been notified to the national SFO Team, HMPPS.3. Figures include cases where the offender committed suicide or died prior to any trial, where the judicial process concluded that they were responsible.4. Data Sources and Quality. The data have come from administrative IT systems which, as with some large-scale recording systems, are subject to possible errors with data entry and processing and may be amended as part of data cleansing or updates.5. Figures are based on conviction data that was produced in September 2021.6. Data is presented by year of release by the Parole Board and not by year of SFO conviction.

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

North Korea: Human Rights

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made, if any, of the report by Korea Future The North Korean Prison Database, published on 28 March, that the North Korean state bears responsibility for violations of international human rights law across that country’s penal system.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK is deeply concerned by reports, including from Korea Future Initiative, which tell of serious human rights violations in DPRK, including the specific persecution of those who are caught practising religion. We are reviewing the Report's findings and recommendations and considering how the UK Government can continue to address the appalling human rights situation in the DPRK.The UK co-sponsored the resolution adopted at the Human Rights Council on 1 April 2022 which seeks to shine a spotlight on the DPRK's human rights record.In July 2020, the UK designated two DPRK entities through the Global Human Rights (GHR) sanctions regime, including the Ministry of State Security Bureau 7 and Ministry of People's Security Correctional Bureau, which together are responsible for the country's notorious prison camp system.The UK continues to urge improvements in the DPRK human rights situation, and regularly raises these concerns, including on prison camps, in international fora and directly with the DPRK authorities.

Afghanistan: Refugees

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Pakistan regarding that government's plans (1) to ratify the Refugee Convention, and (2) to provide assistance to Hazaras from Afghanistan; and what discussions they have had with that government about the number of Afghan refugees who have fled to Pakistan, including (a) their estimate of how many are Hazaras, and (b) the assistance they received upon arrival.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK actively promotes the implementation of the 1951 UN Refugee Convention which asserts that a refugee should not be returned to a country 'where they face serious threats to their life or freedom'. FCDO officials have discussed potential refugee flows from Afghanistan with the Government of Pakistan, and what assistance is available to new refugee arrivals.The Government of Pakistan hosts 1.4 million Afghan refugees. UNHCR reports that between Jan 2021 and Feb 2022 117,547 Afghans arrived in Pakistan, 95,145 of whom arrived since August 2021. The ethnic breakdown of arrivals is 62% Pashtun, 17% Hazara, 11% Tajuk and 9% other. In Islamabad, the FCDO is providing assistance through the UN (UNHCR, WFP and UNICEF) to support existing and new refugee arrivals who may have entered Pakistan.

Tunisia: Politics and Government

Baroness Hodgson of Abinger: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made, if any, of the decision made by the Tunisian President, Kais Saied, to dissolve the Tunisian Parliament without scheduling elections within three months.

Baroness Hodgson of Abinger: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on democratic governance in Tunisia of (1) the dissolution of Parliament by Tunisian President, Kais Saied, and (2) the President’s stated intent to prevent opposition politicians from standing in elections planned for December.

Baroness Hodgson of Abinger: To ask Her Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Tunisia about democracy and governance in that country.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK is concerned by President Saied's decision to dissolve Parliament and the possibility of politicians from the previous government facing criminal charges. At a time when Tunisia faces serious long-term challenges, the need for political engagement and dialogue is greater than ever. The UK has closely monitored the political situation in Tunisia since the changes brought in by President Saied on 25 July 2021, and we will continue to do so. We are monitoring legal cases being brought against politicians from the parliament and previous governments, including allegations of irregularities in the 2019 elections, and are concerned that these could be used to prevent opposition politicians from contesting future elections.

Russia: Ukraine

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the remarks byBaroness Goldie on 5 April regarding lethal weapons for Ukraine (HL Deb col 1967), whether they are seeking the best intermediaries for dialogue to achieve a complete ceasefire, to be followed by a Comprehensive Peace Agreement.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK supports Ukraine in achieving an outcome that delivers for Ukraine and its people. President Putin seems determined to pursue his path of violence and aggression, as evidenced by the atrocities in Bucha and Irpin. The international community's focus must therefore remain on increasing support for Ukraine and tightening the economic vice around Putin.

Gulf Strategy Fund

Lord Scriven: To ask Her Majesty's Government on what date they will publish the 2022 annual Gulf Strategy Fund Programme Summary.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: An annual summary of the Gulf Strategy Fund for 2021/22 will be published on gov.uk. The exact date for publication is yet to be confirmed.

Bahrain: Detainees

Lord Scriven: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Minister of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office on 21 March (138329),on what date will they issue a response to the letter from Human Rights Watch and the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD) dated 14 February.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The reply to the Human Rights Watch/BIRD letter of 14 February 2022 was issued on 15 March.

Duaa Alwadaei

Lord Scriven: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the pledges in UK Support for Human Rights Defenders, published in July 2019, what representations they will make to the government of Bahrain for the sentence against British national Duaa Alwadaei to be quashed; and whether the British Ambassador to Bahrain will attend her trial on 17 April.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: Our Embassy in Bahrain is aware of Mrs Alwadaei's case and is following the situation closely. We have given her family details of the consular assistance available. We understand that Mrs Alwadaei's next hearing will take place on 24 April.

Ministry of Defence

Afghanistan: Refugees

Baroness Goudie: To ask Her Majesty's Government what support they are providing to Afghans to ensure their safety in light of the narrowing of the Afghans Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP) scheme; and why that scheme has been restricted at a time when the lives of Afghans are at risk.

Baroness Goldie: The Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP) is one of the most generous relocation programmes in the world. It is not time-limited and will endure, facilitating the relocation of eligible Afghans and their families. Updates to the ARAP scheme guidance provide much needed clarity on who is eligible for relocation under the scheme. It remains the Government's intention to assist as many eligible Afghans as possible.In addition, the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme, operated by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, is now open and has committed to take around 5,000 refugees in the first year and 20,000 over the coming years.

Warships: Shipbuilding

Lord Storey: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether their newShipbuilding Strategy, published on 10 March, will ensure thatnew naval vessels will be built in British shipyards.

Baroness Goldie: The National Shipbuilding Strategy Refresh reiterates the Ministry of Defence (MOD) shipbuilding procurement policy set out in the Defence and Security Industrial Strategy (DSIS). This states that the procurement approach for each class of ship will be determined on a case-by-case basis. As well as considering the specific capability requirements, the MOD will consider the long-term UK industrial impact of different options, including delivering value for money for the overall programme and maintaining the key UK industrial capabilities required for operational independence. The MOD is clear that for national security reasons, the UK needs to maintain a shipbuilding enterprise. Across all parts of the Government's 30 Year Cross-Government Shipbuilding Pipeline, the National Shipbuilding Office will seek to maximise the opportunity for UK industry, within our international and legal obligations. This is not limited to naval vessels; the pipeline includes vessels of all types, sizes and complexity, creating a baseline of volume to encourage industry investment in facilities, infrastructure, innovation and skills.

Refugees: Afghanistan

Baroness Goudie: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to process the applications of Afghan refugees currently located in third countries; and what is their timetable for (1) completing the processing of their applications, and (2) bringing successful applicants to the UK.

Baroness Goldie: The Afghan Relocation and Assistance Policy (ARAP) scheme is not time limited, and we are working at pace to consider each application on a case-by-case basis. Timelines for processing applications vary from case to case, due to the complexity and personal circumstances of each applicant. Efforts to support all eligible Afghans and to help them to come to the UK remain a Government priority. We have received more than 114,000 applications since the scheme opened and to date, we have relocated over 8,800 ARAP principals and their dependants to the UK. We continue to work alongside international partners to relocate eligible Afghans from and through third countries.

Department for Work and Pensions

Pesticides: Safety

Baroness Hayman of Ullock: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have tocarry out a full risk safety assessment into the use of the rodenticide Brodifacoum; and what consideration they have given to having its approval for outdoor use discontinued.

Baroness Stedman-Scott: Second Generation Anticoagulant Rodenticides (SGARs), including brodifacoum, were developed to address public health and other concerns arising from increasing resistance among rats and mice to the longstanding use of existing rodenticides. During the authorisation process, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) conducts rigorous evaluation for safety and efficacy using scientific data, with restrictions placed on authorisations as appropriate. In order to avoid secondary poisoning risks to non-target species, current product authorisations restrict the use of SGARs in open areas to farmers, gamekeepers and other trained professionals where other integrated pest management approaches fail to control rodent populations. Some SGARs, including brodifacoum, can only be used in sewers and in and around buildings. There has been no change in the authorised areas of use of brodifacoum products since the renewals of their authorisations from 2017. A stewardship regime is in place in the UK for professional use of SGARs, including brodifacoum. A cornerstone of the stewardship scheme is the Campaign for Responsible Rodenticide Use (CRRU) Code of Best Practice, which sets out guidance on the safe use of rodenticides. It is a legal requirement to comply with this code. The stewardship scheme is overseen by a Government Oversight Group (GOG) led by HSE with representatives of other government stakeholders, who meet annually to assess its impact. This year the GOG is conducting a review of the stewardship scheme after five years of operation and will publish its findings in due course. The review will look at the performance of the scheme in three key areas: the governance of the supply chain, improving workforce competence and the monitoring of compliance. The latter includes considering the monitoring of exposure arrangements and looking in more detail at monitoring data.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Fertilisers: Prices

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have tohelp farmers with fertiliser costs to boost production.

Lord Benyon: Increasing fuel, feed and fertiliser prices, and associated impacts on farmers in particular, are being monitored closely. Defra is in regular contact with key industry figures including the National Farmers Union, the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board and key sector representatives.The Government announced on 30 March a number of actions to address current fertiliser issues. These included: changes to statutory guidance to the Environment Agency on how it should implement the Farming Rules for Water, to provide clarity to farmers on how they can use slurry and other manures during autumn and winter to meet agronomic needs; increased grants funding to help farmers and growers boost research and development; and a delay to changes to the use of urea by at least a year. When the urea restrictions are introduced, they will be related to the use of ammonia inhibitors rather than a complete ban.We recognise that fertiliser pressures on the livestock and arable sectors may differ, particularly over the farming seasons. On 31 March, the Farming Minister, Victoria Prentis, hosted the first meeting of the Fertiliser Roundtable with key industry bodies to discuss potential mitigations to the challenges which global supply pressures are causing. Ministers will continue to meet with key industry bodies for further fertiliser round-table sessions in the coming months, to help identify and mitigate potential risks.

Home Office

College of Policing

Lord Blencathra: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to theFundamental review of the College of Policingreport, published on 10 February,which concluded that it "must become thedynamic, relevant and connected professional body that we were created to be", what plans they have to put that body on a statutory footing.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: A number of the College’s functions are already underpinned by statute and the government welcomes the ambition of the College to set and improve standards for excellence in policing.

Police: Recruitment

Lord Bradley: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many additional police officers were recruited in the financial years (1) 2020–21, and (2) 2021–22.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: As part of the Police Officer Uplift Programme, the Home Office publishes a quarterly update on the number of officers in England and Wales, also broken down by Police Force Area. Data are available here: Police Officer uplift statistics - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)Table U2 accompanying this quarterly publication shows that as at the financial year ending 31 March 2021, police forces in England and Wales had recruited 8,762 additional police officers attributable to the Police Uplift Programme. A further 494 additional officers had been recruited and funded through other means, such as the Council Tax precept (Table U3).As at 31 December 2021, forces have recruited 11,048 of the 20,000 additional police officers. This is against a target of recruiting 12,000 additional police officers by March 2022. Data on uplift progress as at the financial year ending 31 March 2022 will be published on GOV.UK on Wednesday 27 April.

Shipping: Russia and Ukraine

Lord Hylton: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that (1) Ukrainian, and (2) Russian ship crews, can enter UK ports; whether there are sufficient interpreters to assist crew members with access to UK ports; and whether temporary visas are available for such crew.

Baroness Williams of Trafford: Ukrainian and Russian seafarers do not require a UK visa under ILO convention 108 (and 185 for Russia, having previously ratified 108) if they hold valid seafarers’ identity documents and are coming to crew a ship leaving the UK or to go home having arrived as crew on a ship.The Government does not as a matter of course provide interpreters at ports to assist seafarers.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

Homes for Ukraine Scheme

The Marquess of Lothian: To ask Her Majesty's Government howmany Ukrainian refugees have arrived in the UK under the Homes for Ukraine scheme since it was launched on 14 March.

Lord Harrington of Watford: As of 20 April, 65,900 applications had been submitted under the Homes for Ukraine Scheme (compared to 41,200 under the Ukraine Families Scheme.) Of these 39,300 have been approved and as of 18 April, 6,600 have arrived in the UK.LA level information on visas granted is now being published at www.gov.uk/government/publications/ukraine-family-scheme-application-data.We have 31 welcome points up and running in all key ports of arrival, where those arriving can access support, translation services and support to reach their sponsor home.HL7390 Home for Ukraine Transparency data (docx, 16.9KB)

Refugees: Ukraine

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that there is appropriate accommodation available for those coming from Ukraine.

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to publish a list for councils telling them what is required for a home safety check for hosts sponsoring Ukrainian refugees under the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

Lord Harrington of Watford: Information for both sponsors and councils on appropriate accommodation is available at www.gov.uk/guidance/homes-for-ukraine-sponsor-guidance and https://www.gov.uk/guidance/homes-for-ukraine-guidance-for-councils.Considerations have been set out in the published FAQs for the scheme: www.gov.uk/guidance/homes-for-ukraine-scheme-frequently-asked-questions  All accommodation will be different however there are a number of standards that ensure the accommodation is free from serious health and safety hazardsLocal authorities will need to use their discretion in determining the appropriate approach to undertaking these checks and we have and will continue to engage extensively with local authorities on this as the programme develops.HL7469 HL6753 Ukraine Guidance for Councils (docx, 37.1KB)HL7469 HL6753 Homes for Ukraine Sponsor guidance (docx, 20.5KB)HL7469 HL6753 Homes for Ukraine FAQs (docx, 34.3KB)

Refugees: Ukraine

Lord Wigley: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many refugees from Ukraine they have directed to the governments of (1) Wales, and (2) Scotland, to be housed under the provisions agreed with those governments.

Lord Harrington of Watford: We are working closely with the Devolved Administrations on the Homes for Ukraine scheme, including enabling the Scottish and Welsh Governments to act as direct sponsors to Ukrainian nationals. This is in addition to Ukrainians being sponsored by individuals in Scotland and Wales. There is no cap on the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme, with the Scottish Government currently working towards 3,000 and the Welsh Government to 1,000 placements under Devolved Government sponsorship.

Housing: Refugees

Lord Roberts of Llandudno: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to houserefugees currently living in hotels.

Lord Harrington of Watford: Work is continuing across Government to ensure the Afghans who stood side by side with us in conflict, their families and those at highest risk who have been evacuated, are supported as they now rebuild their lives in the UK.We are working closely alongside all councils to provide accommodation and support for Afghans in need of our compassion and support to rebuild their lives in the UK.   We are conscious of pressures on the housing market across the country. That said, we think by working closely with councils we can work effectively to continue to support moves into settled accommodation.One example of the work we are doing is a new private rented sector (PRS) accommodation route. This route is being scoped to support people to source their own accommodation. Our engagement with Afghan families has suggested that there is appetite amongst the cohort for independent house-hunting, with the right support. Options are being defined and tested, including working with local government partners to consider what role they might play in supporting this more independent property sourcing pathway.

Town Twinning

Lord Lexden: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they maintain a central register of cities and towns in England with international twinning arrangements; if so, whether it shows which cities and towns are twinned with cities and towns in Ukraine; and what discussions they have had, if any, with local authorities in England about encouraging twinning arrangements with cities and towns in Ukraine.

Lord Greenhalgh: The Government does not maintain a central register of cities and towns in England with international twinning arrangements. Whilst twinning is a matter for councils themselves, the Government has recently used the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities’ daily local government bulletin to highlight the Cities4Cities initiative; an on-line platform, sponsored by the Council of Europe’s Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, that matches the demands and needs of Ukrainian cities with the capacity and know-how of local authorities across Europe, including those in the United Kingdom.

Regional Planning and Development: Rural Areas

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the Rural Services Network's Rural Lens Review of the Levelling Up White Paper, published in March; and what subsequent consideration they have given to the scope of the levelling up policy.

Lord Greenhalgh: The Government has reviewed in detail the work of the Rural Services Network and officials have been in contact with the Network regarding the Rural Lens Review.Building on the Levelling Up White Paper, the Rural Proofing Report will be published later in the year. This report will outline how government departments are working to develop levelling up in rural areas through targeted approaches where necessary. This report will also set out how we are strengthening the rural economy, developing rural infrastructure, delivering rural services and managing the natural environment.

Northern Ireland Office

Abortion: Northern Ireland

Baroness Hoey: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many abortions were recorded in Northern Ireland in the last 12-month period; how many women resident in Northern Ireland were recorded as obtaining abortions in Great Britain in the same period; and in which hospitals in Northern Ireland surgical abortions have been performed.

Lord Caine: Limited Early Medical Abortion (EMA) services are currently provided in Northern Ireland, but these fall short of the services that the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland instructed the Northern Ireland Department of Health (DoH) to provide by March 2022. We are disappointed that the Executive has failed to provide services. As set out in his recent Written Ministerial Statement, the Secretary of State is committed, if necessary, to make regulations and directions to ensure abortion healthcare is delivered in Northern Ireland. Information on the location of surgical abortions performed in Northern Ireland is held by the DoH. The latest publicly available data shows that between 1 April 2020 and 31 January 2022, a total of 2,794 notifications of termination were submitted to the Chief Medical Officer in Northern Ireland. The most recent data published on women resident in Northern Ireland travelling to Great Britain for an abortion procedure is from 2020, where the number of women and girls travelling to England for abortion services was 371.

Treasury

Public Sector: Fraud

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle: To ask Her Majesty's Government how the new Public Sector Fraud Authority will coordinate its work with (1) HM Treasury, (2) HMRC, (3) the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, (4) the Serious Fraud Office, (5) the Crown Prosecution Service, and (6) the British Business Bank, in examining (a) COVID-19 pandemic-related, and (b) other, frauds.

Baroness Penn: The new Public Sector Fraud Authority will report to both Cabinet Office and HM Treasury. It will work with all organisations listed in the question and others. It will aim to understand and reduce both Covid-19 related and other fraud and place counter-fraud at the heart of decision-making across Government.

Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant: Repayments

Lord Smith of Hindhead: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the undistributed portions of the grant made available for hospitality and leisure businesses in response to the omicron variant of COVID-19 will be paid back by local authorities to HM Treasury.

Baroness Penn: The Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant and the Additional Restrictions Grant schemes closed on 31 March 2022. Following the closure of the scheme, BEIS will begin the process of reconciling payment data and identifying unspent funds. As set out in the guidance for both schemes, local authorities must repay unspent funds within 30 days of notification by BEIS. All funds recovered will be returned to the Exchequer via the Supplementary Estimates process.

Employers' Contributions

Lord Allen of Kensington: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on jobs of the 1.25 per cent rise in employers' national insurance contributions; and what support beyond the increase in Employment Allowance they will provide toavoid small businesses making staff redundant.

Baroness Penn: The Government has made several assessments of the impact of the introduction of the Health and Social Care Levy, which were published alongside the announcement. These include the distributional analysis of the impact of the combined tax and spending announcements, a technical annex in our plan for health and social care and a Tax Information and Impact Note. Further, the Office for Budget Responsibility set out their assessment of the economic effects of the Levy, including the impact on labour supply and wages, in the Economic and Fiscal Outlook published at Autumn Budget 2021. It is worth noting that the Government is increasing the Employment Allowance (EA) for the third time since its introduction in 2014, demonstrating an enduring commitment to supporting small businesses. Around 495,000 businesses will benefit from the increase to the EA announced at Spring Statement 2022, including around 50,000 businesses which will be taken out of paying National Insurance contributions (NICs) and the Health and Social Care Levy entirely. In total, this means that from April 2022, 670,000 businesses will not pay NICs and the Levy due to the EA. In addition, the Government has prioritised support for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) by cutting business rates by 50 per cent for retail, hospitality, and leisure businesses, providing a 90 per cent subsidy for world class management training and 90 per cent for apprenticeships, and supporting SMEs to invest and grow by increasing the Annual Investment Allowance to £1 million and subsidising the cost of new software up to £5,000.

Carbon Emissions: Taxation

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to impose acarbon border adjustment mechanism.

Baroness Penn: As we transition to net zero, the Government recognises the importance of addressing the risk of carbon leakage. As set out in the final report of the Net Zero Review, a range of approaches could potentially help address this issue, of which Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanisms are one. The best way of addressing carbon leakage is ensuring there is consistent carbon pricing internationally. However, several issues need to be resolved before any international solution can be agreed. Therefore, the Government is continuing to work on a range of approaches for dealing with carbon leakage, both domestically and with international partners.

Public Expenditure

Lord Wigley: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether their intended additional expenditure on (1) bus, and (2) rail, transport in England, will generate Barnett consequential provision for (a) Wales, and (b) Scotland; and if so, what are these respective sums.

Baroness Penn: Barnett consequentials will be confirmed through the main estimates process in the coming weeks.

The Senior Deputy Speaker

House of Lords: Heating

Lord Lucas: To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what temperature (1) the Palace of Westminster, and (2) the other offices used by the House of Lords, are heated to during working hours in winter; and what assessment has been made of the advantages and disadvantages of reducing that temperature by 2°C.

Lord Gardiner of Kimble: During working hours in winter, the main heating flow temperature supplied by the boilers in the Palace of Westminster is varied depending on the outside air temperature and so a definitive answer cannot be provided. Offices used by the House of Lords in Millbank House and Old Palace Yard are monitored and are heated to 21°C during working hours in winterReducing the temperature by 2°C across all offices would reduce the energy demand from space heating by approximately 15%. However, due consideration must be given to the outside air temperature, activities being carried out within the offices, and the individual circumstances of people within the offices. Reducing the temperature by 2°C may also encourage the use of portable electric heaters which use more energy.